LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Dr. Widad A. Valme upon the occasion of
her designation as recipient of the 2014 "Unsung Hero" Award by the
Flatbush Development Corporation

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Widad A. Valme has given not only of her time and ener-
gies but also of her competence, intelligence and leadership and conse-
quently has been designated for special recognition; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Dr.
Widad A. Valme upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the
2014 "Unsung Hero" Award by the Flatbush Development Corporation which
was celebrated at its 39th Annual Awards Benefit on Thursday, May 8,
2014, at Gargiulo's Restaurant in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Flatbush Development Corporation's mission is to enhance
the quality of life for all segments of the Flatbush community; it iden-
tifies and responds to neighborhood needs and concerns, proactively
creating programs and campaigns that work towards a healthy, safe and
vibrant community; its economic development, housing, youth, and immi-
gration programs serve the exceptionally diverse needs of its community;
and
WHEREAS, Born in Brooklyn, New York, Dr. Widad A. Valme graduated from
St. Francis College in Brooklyn Heights; after completing her undergrad-
uate work, she received her Doctor of Optometry degree from Pennsylvania
College of Optometry at Salus University; she has a license to practice
in both the state of New York and the United States Virgin Islands; and
WHEREAS, Currently, Dr. Widad A. Valme sees patients at Grace Eye
Care, her private practice which was opened in 2006; she is appreciated
as a local optometrist who provides patients with convenient, yet
comprehensive eye exams, and a caring, personal approach; she is also
known to many in the Flatbush community as the eye doctor who collects
used glasses to donate to those in need in Haiti; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Dr. Widad A. Valme works as a consulting Optome-
trist for Helen Keller International, an international charity with the
mission to save the sight and lives of the most vulnerable and disadvan-
taged by combating the causes and consequences of blindness and malnu-
trition; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Dr. Widad A. Valme works for the New York
Department of Education and Mental Hygiene, school Health Optometry
program, as an independent doctor of optometry providing free and low
cost eye exams to local school children; and
WHEREAS, In favor of the small town feel of Ditmas Park, Dr. Widad A.
Valme is proud to provide quality eye care services to her community;
and
WHEREAS, Dr. Widad A. Valme has associations with many organizations
such as HIS Vision, an organization which provides eye care to those in
need domestically and internationally; she has become involved in their
Haiti 2012 initiative where volunteer teams have partnered with differ-
ent medical clinics, hospitals, and churches to provided mobile vision
care in communities in and around Cap Haitien, Haiti; this year, approx-
imately 1,000 individuals in northern Haiti have received eye care; and
WHEREAS, This accomplished woman is also associated with Association
Haitienne de Development Humain Inc., The Red Cross, and Friends of
Cortelyou, as well as an active member of the American Optometric Asso-

ciation, board member of the Brooklyn Contemporary Chorus, and the St.
Columba Choir; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Widad A. Valme has been called upon to contribute her
time and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has
always given of herself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Dr. Widad A. Valme has stood
constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Dr. Widad A. Valme has displayed
throughout her life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Dr. Widad A. Valme upon the occasion of her designation as recipi-
ent of the 2014 "Unsung Hero" Award by the Flatbush Development Corpo-
ration; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Dr. Widad A. Valme.